TEXclusive

The Democrat from Houston wrote a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, urging him to “take immediate action” for the justice of the recently deceased youth, killed by a neighborhood watch captain in Sanford, Fla.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (AP Photo)

Here’s her letter. Tell us what you think.

Eric H. Holder, Jr.

Attorney General of the United States
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Holder:

I am writing to request that you take immediate action to conduct a thorough and complete federal investigation into the serious allegations made against George Zimmerman, regarding the fatal shooting Trayvon Martin. In addition, I also request an investigation of the manner in which the Sanford Police Department has handled this investigation.

It has come to my attention that Mr. Zimmerman, a Captain in a neighborhood crime watch group sponsored by The Retreat at Twin Lakes Community and Condo Association, reported to police that a man was walking “suspiciously” in his community. The police instructed Mr. Zimmerman to remain in his car. Instead of following police instructions Mr. Zimmerman chose to confront then chase Mr. Martin, an African American teenage boy. Mr. Martin, armed with only a soda can and a bag of candy was fatally shot in the chest by Mr. Zimmerman. To my knowledge, Mr. Zimmerman is not a police officer or a member of law enforcement and did not identify himself as such when he confronted the teenager. As it stands a legitimate reason for Mr. Zimmerman to confront and chase Mr. Martin has not been given. An investigation should be immediately conducted to determine if Mr. Martin was murdered and if his civil rights were violated.

As a Member of the Judiciary Committee I have an obligation do all that is in my power to prevent all forms of racism and bias, especially among members of law enforcement, who are entrusted with protecting our citizens and ensuring the preservation of equality and justice in our criminal justice system. I believe an investigation into the actions of the Sanford Police Department is necessary to determine if they handled this case appropriately. Mr. Zimmerman has fatally shot an unarmed African American teenager and has yet to be arrested by the Sanford Police Department. This may very well become a murder investigation and the prime suspect is not in police custody. The Sanford Police Department has engaged in conduct that has been criticized as questionable.

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this issue. I look forward to working with you on this matter until it is resloved. I know you share my commitment to ensuring that our nation’s law enforcement epitomizes the ideals of equality under the law enshrined in our Constitution.

Very Truly Yours,
Sheila Jackson Lee
Member of Congress

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Texas Watch

TxPotomac lets you know what stories to look out for later this week.

Today:

★ Tuesday, March 20. Texas A&M University President R. Bowen Loftin will be in Washington D.C. for the inauguration meeting of the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). Loftin was nominated by Janet Napolitano, the secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

★ Tuesday, March 20. Illinois primary

Tomorrow and beyond:

★ Saturday, March 24. Louisiana primary

★ Saturday, March 24. Rick Perry at the Gridiron Club for the 127th annual dinner

★ Tuesday, April 3. Maryland primary

★ Tuesday, April 3. Washington D.C. primary

★ Tuesday, April 3. Wisconsin primary

★ Tuesday, April 24. Connecticut primary

★ Tuesday, April 24. Delaware primary

★ Tuesday, April 24. New York primary

★ Tuesday, April 24. Pennsylvania primary

★ Tuesday, April 24. Rhode Island primary

★ Tuesday, May 8. Indiana primary

★ Tuesday, May 8. North Carolina primary

★ Tuesday, May 8. West Virginia primary

★ Tuesday, May 15. Nebraska primary

★ Tuesday, May 15. Oregon primary

★ Tuesday, May 22. Arkansas primary

★ Tuesday, May 22. Kentucky primary

★ Tuesday, May 29. Texas primary

★ Tuesday, June 5. California primary

★ Tuesday, June 5. Montana primary

★ Tuesday, June 5. New Jersey primary

★ Tuesday, June 5. New Mexico primary

★ Tuesday, June 5. South Dakota primary

★ Tuesday, June 26. Utah primary

Today in Texas History.

On this date in 1934, future San Francisco mayor Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., was born in the East Texas town of Mineola (east of Dallas, north of Longview). More>>>